ABOUT

Hello, I’m Annika!

I am a very hungry mermaid (aka scuba diver) who likes to be anywhere but home. After having lived in New York and South Africa for many years, I eat and dive my way around the world now. I am an innate solo traveler and already wrote a book about solo travel to encourage others to venture into the world too.

Wherever I go I like to find Nemo and the delicious local food. I chose my destinations based on the best dive sites around the world and wherever I can find the most delicious cuisine. I like barefoot luxury and adventures equally: imagine eating the best street food and washing it down with champagne! I am a divemaster and love to take my readers along on my underwater adventures and inspire more women to become mermaids.

The Midnight Blue Elephant is home to travel diaries, destination & foodie guides from my experiences above and below the surface.

Some stats about me:

Full name: Annika Ziehen. Ziehen means to pull in German which some people think is hilarious.

Age: Don’t be rude, that is not a question to ask a woman!

Accomplishments so far:

• Degree in Advertising & Marketing Communications from FIT, New York
• PADI Divemaster
• Author of one real published book
• Maker of rather delicious pizza

Favorite fish/marine creature: Frog fish, bat fish, eagle ray, schooling banner fish

Favorite dish: Pasta!

Likes: wine (with or without bubbles), giraffes and the above mentioned fish, sun and ocean, massages, being the first person off the plane, sandy feet

Dislikes: too ripe bananas, celery, people who get off an escalator and just stop in their tracks